February 23, 2017
A Detailed Look At Occupational Hazard Insurance For Truck Drivers
According to the North American Transportation Association (NTA), truck drivers endure some of the toughest and most demanding working conditions. This includes long hours on the road, minimal physical exercise, as well as the inherent risks all drivers face while driving. Due to this, truckers require coverage that protects them and loved ones from financial difficulties in the event of an accident or even job loss. This is where occupational hazard insurance coverage comes in handy. Below is a detailed look at occupational hazard insurance for truck drivers.
An Overview of Occupational Hazard Trucking Insurance
In general, occupational hazard coverage provides financial benefits to employees and their loved ones in the event they sustain injuries or die while at work. The regulations governing this type of coverage vary from state to state as well as from one industry to the next. For instance, the states of Oklahoma and Texas allow employers to opt out of worker’s compensation regulations applicable at the state-level. On its part, the trucking industry allows owner-operators who are not employees to enjoy the benefits of occupational hazard coverage.
Eligibility
Eligibility requirements for occupational hazard insurance vary from one carrier to the next. Nevertheless, there are certain common criteria including age limits. In most states, one must be at least 18 or older and less than 70 years old to be eligible for this type of coverage. In addition, one must have undergone training and acquired licensure/approval to operate a truck. At this point, it is worth noting that these requirements apply to drivers who are employed by trucking companies and those working as independent contractors.
Coverage Benefits
Once again, coverage benefits vary from one insurance carrier to the next. This notwithstanding, most occupational hazard policies cover accident-related medical/dental expenses, accidental death/dismemberment compensation, temporary disability benefits, permanent disability benefits, and reduction in disability income benefits. It is worth noting that this is a generalized view of the benefits accruing from occupational hazard coverage. With this in mind, you may come across carriers that offer limited non-occupational benefits on top of the standard benefits available to truck drivers.
Coverage Premiums
Occupational hazard coverage premiums vary depending on driving history, age, and the pricing policies of the underlying carrier. For instance, the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) says teens and young adults tend to be more reckless drivers compared to older and more mature peers. For this reason, drivers within this age demographic tend to attract higher coverage premiums although they can be lowered by taking advanced driving and road safety courses as well as installing devices or software tools that monitor driving behavior. With this in mind, expect the cost of coverage premiums to range anywhere from $120 to $200 per month. The rule of thumb is to shop around, compare premiums offered by different carriers and then select one that suits your coverage needs.
Conclusion
Occupational hazard insurance provides a financial cushion to drivers and their loved ones in the event they are injured or killed while working. Before selecting a specific coverage, go through its eligibility requirements to determine whether you qualify. This is in addition to evaluating the monthly premiums that you will be required to pay.
